Tambopata River Expedition

This adventure will include six days of rafting down rapids in the high Tambopata River as well as a visit to the Macaw Clay Lick featured in the January 1994 National Geographic. We will have time to acquaint ourselves with the wildlife and indigenous life of the region.

PromPeru, the government tourism agency, rates the Tambopata as Peru´s finest white water rafting because of its isolation in tropical forests and rich wildlife as well as the technical rafting involved.

We will descend from the highlands above 4,500 meters(14,760ft) through the cloud forests, into the Amazon jungle at 250 meters(820ft). The various forests contain 13 species of monkeys, ocelots, capybaras, tapirs, and armadillos. We may see rare crocodiles and otters, who eat one another, and whose food caches and garbage ponds are among the most important sources of nutrition in the river. We will camp on the beaches along the river and visit the Tambopata Research Center and a wonderfully designed jungle lodge.

Day 1: ARRIVE IN JULIACA

After your arrival at the airport of Juliaca, you will be transferred to your hotel in Puno.

We will enjoy a welcome dinner that night.

Overnight: Hotel in Puno
Meals: None

Day 2: JULIACA TO PUTINA PUNKU

An early morning departure in our bus will take us across the Altiplano from Juliaca in Puno into the Cordillera Carabaya. This scenic drive features abundant bird life and scattered Quechua villages. Crossing a 4,573 meter (15,000ft) pass we will begin our descent into the cloud forest in order to reach the Pre-Inca town of Cuyo Cuyo.

We will continue to the town of Putina Punku where we will spend the night in a local hostel.

Overnight: Hostel in Putina Punku
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: PUTINA PUNKO TO CURVA ALEGRE & TAMBOPATA RIVER

Today we will continue our drive for a short time into the cloud forest until we finally arrive at the headwaters of the Tambopata River.

After lunch, we will start our adventure paddling this amazing river. At the end of the day we will arrive to our campsite, where a delicious dinner will be waiting for us.

Overnight: Camp site
Meals: B, L & D

Day 4 & 5: TAMBOPATA RIVER

As we leave the last traces of civilization, we will enter the pristine rainforest using the river as a highway (Class II, II & IV rapids).

After paddling, we will camp on a sandy beach where we will see plenty of wild animal tracks.

Overnight: Camp Site
Meals: B, L & D

Day 6-8: TAMBOPATA RIVER – MACAW LICK (river)

Surrounded by lush vegetation, over the next three days we will run the flat section of the river.

We might have a chance to see monkeys, capybaras, tapirs, and giant river otters among other animals.

Our journey will end at the Tambopata Research Center where we will spend the night in comfort and again enjoy delicious food.

Overnight: Camp Site + last night at Tambopata Research Center
Meals: B, L & D

Day 9: ARRIVE IN PUERTO MALDONADO

At the crack of dawn we will see a rowdy crowd of macaws with their unique brilliance coloring the clay riverbank. 

After breakfast, a motor canoe will take us to Puerto Maldonado, where we will spend the night.

Overnight: Camp Site
Meals: B, L & D

Day 10: FLY HOME

You can schedule your flight at any time of day to fly out of Puerto Maldonado.

Meals: B